MANILA, Philippines - President-elect Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III wants to be addressed simply as P-Noy rather than by his initials BSA, to emphasize his being the people’s president.
At Malacañang, the incumbent president is usually referred to by initials preceded by “P” – PGMA for the incumbent, for example, and PCCA for the late President Corazon Cojuango Aquino.
Benigno Aquino III wants to be referred to simply as President Noy, or P-Noy.
Yesterday, Aquino appeared relaxed when he faced the media in a press conference for a briefing on his meeting with Australian Ambassador Rod Smith, phone calls from US President Barack Obama and President Arroyo, and other issues.
“I am smiling today, (not snooty or mataray in Filipino),” he said. “Maybe if I’m asked a particular (question) five times, you can give me that (I can be snooty),” he quipped, apparently referring to an article on his being a “taray king,” even if he had been considered darling of the press for maintaining good relations with media people.
He has also had some media practitioners for girlfriends.
It was during his first live press conference after his proclamation last Wednesday that people witnessed how casual, candid, humorous and frank but polite Aquino could be even when making not-so-pleasant remarks. But he answered questions from all reporters.
His sisters describe him as a simple man who intends to stay the same even when he becomes president, and he fully intends to keep his promise not to steal from the country’s coffers.
Aquino said he was bent on being the people’s president, even displaying a tarpaulin outside his residence on Times Street in Quezon City, thanking the people for their support. He promised not to let them down.
Aquino confessed he could not help but think of his late parents, former President Corazon Aquino and former Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr.
“When I was waiting for the canvassing to finish, I experienced downtimes and I could not help but remember them. Maybe because I was being told that with all that I am planning to do, I will be making a lot of enemies,” he said.
“We say it’s the end of happy days for smugglers, corrupt individuals. If I won’t allow a situation that does not help the majority to continue, it would mean a lot of fighting. Why am I doing this? Because it’s the people who took care of us and brought us here, so that we could (follow) our parents’ paths,” he added.